1969 was the beginning of a new, uncertain era for The Monkees. It all began in 1968 with what can only be described as a series of unfortunate events - their TV show was cancelled in March, their fifth album became their first to not top the charts, their summer single "D.W. Washburn" missed the top 10, their movie Head was a monumental flop commercially and critically, their television special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee failed to revive the group's popularity, and to top it all off, Peter Tork left in December of 1968. The Monkees, now a trio still held under contract, decided to press on, and interviews at the time showcase an optimistic group. Instant Replay is an apt name, as the group combines old recordings that date back as far as their debut with new, fresh sounds from the members. The result is a somewhat scattered album, however not one without merit.
Songs on Instant Replay range in age, dating as far back as July 1966 ("I Won't Be the Same Without Her"), and others being as recent as December 1968. The scattered feel can definitely be felt, as you go from "While I Cry," a brilliant and beautiful Mike Nesmith tune from around The Birds, the Bees & The Monkees, to the More of the Monkees leftover "Tear Drop City," a song that is, might I add, a blatant copy of "Last Train to Clarksville." Not only because of the time disparity between some sessions, but also because of the various ambitions of the three remaining members, the result is that Instant Replay sounds a bit like a spiritual successor to The Birds, the Bees & The Monkees, albeit one that barely hits the same highs and has much lower lows. Creative bankruptcy is a term I like to use lightly, but when you have a song like "Me Without You" shamelessly ripping of The Beatles' "Your Mother Should Know," (and doing it poorly, might I add) then what am I really supposed to say?
Now of course, this is The Monkees, and they can pull out some great stuff every now and then. Micky, despite taking a bit of a backseat, has some gold here - the opening track "Through the Looking Glass" is a fun opener, and his own compositions "Just a Game" and the massive closer "Shorty Blackwell" certainly help carry the album, the latter of which is one of the most experimental, bold tracks the group has ever created. Mike Nesmith has always been the standout talent of The Monkees, and with songs like "Don't Wait for Me" and the beautiful "While I Cry," this more than obviously continues to be the case - potential bias, however, because "While I Cry" is one of my favorite songs the group has ever made. Davy is easily the most hit-or-miss on this record, but there's a redo of "Don't Listen to Linda" which is pretty decent, as well as the rocking "You and I," complete with a Neil Young guitar solo - this is one of the best moments on the entire album, and I'm just left wondering why they didn't let Davy rock out more.
Overall, though, Instant Replay is their weakest since More of the Monkees, although that's not to say this is bad - not at all. I think it's clear that the group was left a little unfocused without Peter, and that lack of focus shows in this sometimes scattered LP. Even still, it at least has a comfortable amount of variety, complete with some stellar tracks that prove the group could make it as a trio. Perhaps if fortune had been on their side more, they could've lasted - but that's a conclusion for another time. For now, however, Instant Replay was worth the replay.
RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Listen to Instant Replay.
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